One Thought, a Mortal Life · Above and Below, All Connected · 84 / 102
· Lithe and Alive
At the water's edge, on the windy dike, a sidelong glance; a drives off the dust and haze. Slender green shadows put the true immortals to shame. Catkins drift, light and buoyant, down from the highest heaven.
On the paper the ink runs thick, and the sweet-herb scent comes near; damp clouds, slow to move; the billows swirl back. vie with the gauze gown. Whose house could be so lucky—color brushed along brows curved like the moon?
Glosses—
Sweet-herb scent [héng wú]: the fragrance of aromatic grasses;
Slow to move [shē huǎn]: tardy; unhurried;
Swirling billows: waves turning and circling back.
*This is an original work. If you reprint it, please credit the original author Shixi Lin; any infringement, once discovered, will be pursued for legal liability. In addition, the accompanying image comes from the internet and belongs to the original illustrator Yichui Wuyue.